Share This Story!

Diamondbacks' Mark Trumbo fitting in at 1st base for time being

All offseason and throughout spring training, the Diamondbacks talked about how they thought slugger Mark Trumbo would improve defensively in left field, saying they believed that with experience he would grow into at least an adequate defender at the position.

Diamondbacks' Mark Trumbo fitting in at 1st base for time being

Arizona Diamondbacks Mark Trumbo (15) steals second on a late, wide throw to Miami Marlins short stop Adeiny Hechavarria during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Miami, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. The Marlins won 5-4 in the 10th inning.(Photo: J Pat Carter/AP)

MIAMI – All offseason and throughout spring training, the Diamondbacks talked about how they thought slugger Mark Trumbo would improve defensively in left field, saying they believed that with experience he would grow into at least an adequate defender at the position.

Which is what makes it so strange that they've installed him at first base as Paul Goldschmidt's replacement rather than allowing him to continue to improve in left field.

"It's not something we've talked about right now," manager Kirk Gibson said when asked if it would make sense for Trumbo to continue to see time in left with an eye on next season.

"We're just trying to get through this season. We have so many injuries to deal with. I'm sure we'll have conversations at the end of the year to try and figure out what really the best combination of who plays where is."

Said Trumbo: "I guess that argument is logical, but I think right now the best fit is for me to play first. And I'm happy doing that."

A foot injury has limited Trumbo to just 37 games in left field this season — and might have hurt his range, as well — but in limited exposure he has not looked like an average defender.

He has yet to be charged with an error at the position, but his Ultimate Zone Rating of minus-11.8 (per 150 games) would rate as the worst of any left fielder in the majors.

In the 10 games since Goldschmidt was lost for the season with a broken hand, Trumbo has started eight at first, one at designated hitter and one in left field.

"We're just trying to get him comfortable," Gibson said. "That's not to say he won't play outfield right now, but I think, by far, I like him over at first just for the team's sake."

Right-hander Bradin Hagens joined the team on Thursday, giving the Diamondbacks a fresh arm for the bullpen a day after needing 92/3 innings of relief during Wednesday's doubleheader in Cleveland.

Hagens, a sixth-round pick from 2009, had a 4.12 ERA in 1152/3 innings between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno.

"Definitely surprised," he said of his first reaction to getting the news he was coming up. "I wasn't sure if I was hearing right. It's starting to sink in today still that it's actually really happening."

Hagens is the 10th player to reach the majors from the Diamondbacks' 2009 draft class.

Jackson, a former first-round pick, who was once regarded as one of the better prospects in baseball, has struggled at the plate the past three seasons in the minors. He was hitting just .210 with five homers in 224 at-bats for Triple-A Iowa. He'll be assigned to Reno.

Cooper, a 12th-round pick in 2010, had a combined 3.57 ERA in 58 innings in relief with Double-A Mobile and Reno.

Short hop

Gibson said the club is still considering the possibility of employing a six-man rotation in September, something that would help allow the club to minimize right-hander Chase Anderson's innings. It could be a way for the team to get prospect Archie Bradley a look without having to remove someone from the rotation.

Aug 16, 2014: Miami Marlins mascot Billy the Marlin (center) celebrates his birthday with other mascots during a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. (Photo: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

Aug 16, 2014: Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) connects for a three run homer during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins Ballpark. (Photo: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

Aug 16, 2014: Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) takes a knee during the first inning as a play at home plate is under review during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins Ballpark. (Photo: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

Aug 16, 2014: Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) reaches first base on a single as Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Mark Trumbo (15) is called late on the tag during the fourth inning at Marlins Ballpark. (Photo: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

Aug 15, 2014: Diamondbacks shortstop Cliff Pennington (center) is greeted by teammates after hit a solo home run during the first inning against Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. (Photo: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

Aug 15, 2014: Diamondbacks left fielder Mark Trumbo (15) is greeted after scoring a run after teammate Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (not pictured) hit a two run homer in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. (Photo: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

Miami Marlins players including Adeiny Hechavarria (3) celebrate with Marcell Ozuna after a game winning hit that drove home run during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Miami against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. The Marlins won 5-4 in the 10th inning. (Photo: J Pat Carter/AP)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Cliff Pennington dives back on a pick off attempt by Miami Marlins' Brad Penny during the second inning of a baseball game in Miami, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. (Photo: J Pat Carter/AP)

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder David Peralta catches a fly ball hit by Miami Marlins' Garrett Jones during the second inning of a baseball game in Miami, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. The billboard urges players to "get in the game'. (Photo: J Pat Carter/AP)

Ender Inciarte #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks steals second as Adeiny Hechavarria #3 of the Miami Marlins fields the throw during a game at Marlins Park on August 14, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Didi Gregorius #1 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is congratulated after a defensive play during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 14, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Cliff Pennington #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks turns a double play as Jarrod Saltalamacchia #39 of the Miami Marlins slides into second during a game at Marlins Park on August 14, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

David Peralta #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is congratulated by Glenn Sherlock #53 of the Arizona Diamondbacks after a triple during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 14, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Ender Inciarte #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks scores on a triple by David Peralta #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 14, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

(EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.)
Adeiny Hechavarria #3 of the Miami Marlins looks on during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins Park on August 14, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Notable: Cahill has pitched fairly well since returning to the rotation after the All-Star break, posting a 3.72 ERA in five starts. He has allowed just three earned runs in 14 innings in his past two starts. … Hand rejoined the Marlins' rotation on July 3 and proceeded to post a 2.72 ERA in seven starts. But he was hammered in his eighth start, giving up seven runs in 42/3 innings on Sunday against the Reds.